I've recently arrived in Ticino and have had some success with looking for work (as an English teacher). However, when visiting the local office to register myself here, I found it closed until next Monday (the 10th of September).

However, I'm still confused as to whether I need to apply for and get health insurance before or after I apply for the residence permit. I'm finding the health insurance a tricky subject, just trying to decide which company to go for, although I'm hoping to get it sorted soon. I know that as an EU national I'm entitled to be here for 3 months before I'm required to take out insurance in Switzerland but I'd like to do it as soon as possible since it will be back-dated anyway.

So should I try to get the insurance sorted and then go to the registration office, or will I be okay to get the permit first, find some health insurance shortly afterwards and then go back to the office to let them know?

Basically, will they give me a permit without insurance as I am still within the three-month window?

I've recently arrived in Ticino and have had some success with looking for work (as an English teacher). However, when visiting the local office to register myself here, I found it closed until next Monday (the 10th of September).

However, I'm still confused as to whether I need to apply for and get health insurance before or after I apply for the residence permit. I'm finding the health insurance a tricky subject, just trying to decide which company to go for, although I'm hoping to get it sorted soon. I know that as an EU national I'm entitled to be here for 3 months before I'm required to take out insurance in Switzerland but I'd like to do it as soon as possible since it will be back-dated anyway.

So should I try to get the insurance sorted and then go to the registration office, or will I be okay to get the permit first, find some health insurance shortly afterwards and then go back to the office to let them know?

Basically, will they give me a permit without insurance as I am still within the three-month window?

Thanks for any help!

Yes, they will give you a permit. In fact, I believe health insurance companies will want a copy of your permit to sign you up. From when you register, you have three months to get insurance or the government will sign you up for something.

One final question - do I need a copy of my employment contract to get the permit? I've got a few jobs lined up, but the main one won't start for a few weeks. Also, being a language teacher, I've split my work between a few schools (4 hours per week here, 4 there, etc). All the schools are aware and happy with that situation. Is there any requirement to have a certain amount of hours to qualify as 'employed' or will anything do?

If from EU you don't need a permit for 90 days, so if that is the case wait 3 months to get a permit and 6 months to get medical cover...

Unless you know you will need medical treatment why pay for an extra 3 months you don't have to.

From talking to people I know in Basel they only seem to back date it to your permit date if you don't get any and the canton do it for you, or if you are silly enough to ask for it to be back dated yourself when you apply.

Otherwise they seem to start the first of the month after you put in the application.